by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Herestopatrick had the luck of the Irish with him this evening at Woodbine, as he enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the C$20,000 first leg of the Apaches Fame Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

WEG photo

Herestopatrick enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory in the C$20,000 first leg of the Apaches Fame Pacing Series Friday night at Woodbine.

Sent off sharply to the front by linesman Luc Ouellette, Herestopatrick took command and led the field through fractions of :27.2, :56.3, and 1:24.2, with Its A Good Thing and Randy Waples riding the pocket spot some two lengths back and even-money favorite, Midnite Romp, gapped out in third.

At the head of the lane, Its A Good Thing made his move, but Ouellette found another gear in Herestopatrick and the pair refused to relinquish their lead. A late rush from Midnite Romp, two-wide, was enough to secure the show spot, but not sufficient to defeat Herestopatrick, who crossed the wire a head in front, in 1:52.4.

Appropriately enough, Herestopatrick is a homebred son of Apaches Fame, out of the Lemoyne Hanover mare, Sippin Time. This was his third win in seven tries as a sophomore for owner/breeder Michael Cecile of Windsor, Ontario, and a new lifetime best clocking for the gelding.

The second leg of the Apaches Fame series continues next Friday, March 13.